STARTING Saturday until February 11, the Social Welfare department in Davao Region will entertain inquiries on its Adoption Program as it opens an Adoption Inquiry Desk at SM City Davao from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Davao Regional Director Ester Acebedo-Versoza said the event is one of the highlights in observance of the National Adoption Consciousness Week slated February 6 to 13.
"Isulong Legal na Pag-aampon, Hindi Simulation," is this year's theme.
An adoption forum for prospective adoptive parents and municipal social workers is also set on February 11 at DSWD Conference Hall.
Aside from the Legal Adoption Procedure, Republic Act (RA) 9523 or An Act Requiring the Certification of the DSWD to Declare a Child Legally Available for Adoption will be discussed.
RA 9523 was approved in March 2009. This new law amends Presidential Decree 603, the Child and Youth Welfare Code that entails a long process, thus delaying immediate placement of children for adoption.
Acebedo-Versoza said RA 9523 mandates DSWD to certify that a child is abandoned through the issuance of a certification that serves as primary evidence showing a child is legally available for adoption.
This is the most expeditious proceeding to declare abandoned, neglected or surrendered children legally available for adoption, Versoza explained.
For information on legal adoption, interested parties are invited to visit SM City this week or dial 2278746 or 2242643.
DSWD office is located at Ramon Magsaysay Avenue with website: fo11.dswd.gov.ph. DSWD/carmelacadigalduron